A COUPLE broke the record books on Monday when they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary.

Marriage symbols seem to end at 70, which is listed as platinum, but Billy and Charlotte Hassall have passed that figure by five years, and celebrated their fantastic achievement with a quiet family celebration.

Charlotte, 96, remembered how the marriage came about all those years ago. She told the Chronicle: 'I got a message from a friend which said, 'Billy's down the street and he wants to see you'.'

When Charlotte went to meet him he simply told her: 'I've put the banns in, we're getting married!'

She added: 'I hadn't even been out with him on a proper date, but I must admit I quite liked him, so that was it!'

Seventy-five years on Billy, 98, and Charlotte, who live in School Lane, Nantwich, are still together Expanding on the odd start to their married life, Charlotte said: 'We first met at a dance at the old town hall and Billy walked home with me a couple of times, but I had no idea he had marriage in mind.

'It came right out of the blue - but it has worked out all right.'

Billy worked for the old Nantwich Urban District Council for more than 60 years, becoming caretaker at the Civic Hall after he had officially retired as deputy foreman at the council depot in Beam Street.

Charlotte was a tailoress, starting work at the age of 14 at Haighton's factory in Pratchett's Row, and then moving to the firm's other factory on the Barony.

The happy couple have one daughter, Pamela, and put their terrific marriage down to 'love and devotion' - though Charlotte admits she has 'always spoiled him'.

Billy said: 'I think I have only one spur of the moment decision in my life. That was 75 years ago and turned out to be the best one I ever made.'

Their daughter Pamela said: 'They have always been devoted to each other, and to reach 75 years together is really unbelievable.'